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Five Little Ducks
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32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
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October 6, 2022My 3 year old loves books of songs and nursery rhymes. I’m glad I found this one with beautiful illustrations — I had another version for my older kid but the illustrations were so terrible that I didn’t keep it even though we enjoy the song. 😆
July 4, 2023
There are many books using the song, Five Little Ducks. What sets this version apart is the illustrations. They are very detailed and depict a Mother Duck caring for the house, doing laundry, and cooking. There are a lot of elements that a parent can talk about while reading this to their children. The text is based on counting but in reverse. It starts with five ducks and subtracts one until no ducks are left. The first time I heard it, I worried it would be a depressing end with a mom losing all her ducks. I always sing that part very sad. I was relieved when she got them all back. After each stanza, I take the time to count the ducks on the page. Eventually, we may represent the ducks with physical objects as an early introduction to subtraction.
Recommended age: 2-4 years
Writing style: The writing is clear and concise, with the main phrases repeated six times. After a few readings, a child can "read" it from memory. The focus is placed on the images rather than the text.
Lexile range (unofficial): 410L - 600L
Decoding difficulty: 2/5
Vocabulary difficulty: 1/5
Sentences difficulty: 4/5
Patterns difficulty: 1/5
Illustration style: The illustrations differentiate this book from the others using the same rhyme. Using colored pencils and pastels, Pamela Paparone shows the countryside. Mother Duck is shown doing laundry, ironing, painting, picking apples, and baking an apple pie.
Reality-based: No. Mother Duck and her babies act as humans in the illustrations. One duck even uses a fork to eat the apple pie.
Recommended age: 2-4 years
Writing style: The writing is clear and concise, with the main phrases repeated six times. After a few readings, a child can "read" it from memory. The focus is placed on the images rather than the text.
Lexile range (unofficial): 410L - 600L
Decoding difficulty: 2/5
Vocabulary difficulty: 1/5
Sentences difficulty: 4/5
Patterns difficulty: 1/5
Illustration style: The illustrations differentiate this book from the others using the same rhyme. Using colored pencils and pastels, Pamela Paparone shows the countryside. Mother Duck is shown doing laundry, ironing, painting, picking apples, and baking an apple pie.
Reality-based: No. Mother Duck and her babies act as humans in the illustrations. One duck even uses a fork to eat the apple pie.
September 26, 2022
This was a book that I came across in a free library and chose to pick it up to read since it is part of the rhymes that I so much enjoy even in my older years. Although I think I have heard it before it didn't ring too familiar to me thus further interest.
Like so many of the other rhymes that young readers are introduced to this one has its own chorus, which only changes with the removal of a duckling at a time. As such the story is pretty much forward, repetitive and simple to get into thus should attract to young readers who need an interactive story.
The brightly colored and richly detailed illustrations are a supplement to the story itself as they show Mother Duck busy every day that the story continues to proceed on. Although this may not be the right and/or original meaning of the story and the presentation of the age of the ducklings is most definitely off I see it in a sense as the story of an actual empty nest situation in which slowly the children grow up and eventually move out while Mother learns how to be back on her own individually but even with such lessons the family returns together at least for a bit to share time with one another.
In the end this would still make for a great children's story, especially as it allows children to learn the very basic of their numbers and how to subtract these same numbers from each other in the most basic sense.
Like so many of the other rhymes that young readers are introduced to this one has its own chorus, which only changes with the removal of a duckling at a time. As such the story is pretty much forward, repetitive and simple to get into thus should attract to young readers who need an interactive story.
The brightly colored and richly detailed illustrations are a supplement to the story itself as they show Mother Duck busy every day that the story continues to proceed on. Although this may not be the right and/or original meaning of the story and the presentation of the age of the ducklings is most definitely off I see it in a sense as the story of an actual empty nest situation in which slowly the children grow up and eventually move out while Mother learns how to be back on her own individually but even with such lessons the family returns together at least for a bit to share time with one another.
In the end this would still make for a great children's story, especially as it allows children to learn the very basic of their numbers and how to subtract these same numbers from each other in the most basic sense.
February 12, 2018
This is a classic. I remember listening to the librarian at St. John's read this book to the class as a child. I checked it out quite often because of the lovely art. 5/5 stars.
September 6, 2018
A cute book to read while you sing the song! The illustrations are pretty detailed for the age group, but they show momma duck doing cute things like painting or picking apples. Very charming!
March 7, 2019
I LOVE singing stories. This was perfect for our counting story time.
December 22, 2021
Nice illustrations to go along with the nursery rhyme.
December 27, 2022
Great song, decent illustrations. I don't know if this is the best version or not.
March 1, 2017
this book is about five ducks who went far away every day. but one by one they didn't come back, until the fifth day when none of them came back home. so that makes the mother duck sad. the next day she goes and looks for them, and finds all of her five babies.
I really like this board book, it is a traditional rhyme turned into a great counting book. I like how it also has very good and easy to look at illustrations.
I could use this in my classroom if I was teaching a younger kid to read. the rhyming words would appeal to younger readers. and who doesn't like ducklings.
I really like this board book, it is a traditional rhyme turned into a great counting book. I like how it also has very good and easy to look at illustrations.
I could use this in my classroom if I was teaching a younger kid to read. the rhyming words would appeal to younger readers. and who doesn't like ducklings.
February 20, 2016
Title: Five Little Ducks
Author: Pamela Paparone
Illustrator: Pamela Paparone
Genre: Counting Book
Theme(s): Numbers, Family
Opening Line/Sentence:
Five Little ducks went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Brief Book Summary:
Begins with five ducks going out one day, and when the mother calls them back, only four return. The next day the four ducks go out and when the mother calls them back, only three return. This pattern happens until none of the ducks return. This makes the mother go out to find them and when she calls them, all five ducks return.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: CLDC
Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
In this familiar rhyme, mother duck has five little ones. Each day they wander over the hills and far away and one less returns home until all have gone away. Mother duck takes matters into her own hands and heads over the hill and far away, returning with all five of her ducklings. The illustrations feature a pastoral setting reflective of years gone by with laundry hung on the line, mama duck ironing clothes, keeping the house neat, and picking apples to make a pie. The concluding page shows mama duck with a delicious apple pie and glasses of milk set out for her brood. The colored pencil and pastel illustrations are full of details that will give parent and child plenty to talk about.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: CLDC
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Notable for the quilt like compositions of a countryside in saturated blues and greens, Pamela Paparone's Five Little Ducks tells of a mother duck's quintet of ducklings who go off each day and whose numbers dwindle one by one. Luckily, when she goes out searching and "quacking" for them, they all return, seated at her table in a final image of this hand-size board book, also available in paperback.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews provide a short summary of the book from beginning to end. Both reviews also speak on the impact of the illustrations. “A countryside in saturated blues and greens” is what one reviewer wrote and it describes the feel that the book has for it’s readers. The illustrations in the book definitely provide talking points for the parent/child.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The way the author writes this story is very easy to follow. With no more than 15 words on a page, the writing is very clear and concise and it directs most of the attention to the illustrations. There are no difficult vocabulary words and every few pages the main phrase is repeated, which can help stick with the reader.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book would be a perfect read-aloud near the beginning of the school year. The main plot of this book has a lot of uncertainty as to where these ducks wander off to. An activity I could do is to ask each student to write down where they believe these ducks are going.
Author: Pamela Paparone
Illustrator: Pamela Paparone
Genre: Counting Book
Theme(s): Numbers, Family
Opening Line/Sentence:
Five Little ducks went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Brief Book Summary:
Begins with five ducks going out one day, and when the mother calls them back, only four return. The next day the four ducks go out and when the mother calls them back, only three return. This pattern happens until none of the ducks return. This makes the mother go out to find them and when she calls them, all five ducks return.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: CLDC
Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
In this familiar rhyme, mother duck has five little ones. Each day they wander over the hills and far away and one less returns home until all have gone away. Mother duck takes matters into her own hands and heads over the hill and far away, returning with all five of her ducklings. The illustrations feature a pastoral setting reflective of years gone by with laundry hung on the line, mama duck ironing clothes, keeping the house neat, and picking apples to make a pie. The concluding page shows mama duck with a delicious apple pie and glasses of milk set out for her brood. The colored pencil and pastel illustrations are full of details that will give parent and child plenty to talk about.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: CLDC
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Notable for the quilt like compositions of a countryside in saturated blues and greens, Pamela Paparone's Five Little Ducks tells of a mother duck's quintet of ducklings who go off each day and whose numbers dwindle one by one. Luckily, when she goes out searching and "quacking" for them, they all return, seated at her table in a final image of this hand-size board book, also available in paperback.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews provide a short summary of the book from beginning to end. Both reviews also speak on the impact of the illustrations. “A countryside in saturated blues and greens” is what one reviewer wrote and it describes the feel that the book has for it’s readers. The illustrations in the book definitely provide talking points for the parent/child.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The way the author writes this story is very easy to follow. With no more than 15 words on a page, the writing is very clear and concise and it directs most of the attention to the illustrations. There are no difficult vocabulary words and every few pages the main phrase is repeated, which can help stick with the reader.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book would be a perfect read-aloud near the beginning of the school year. The main plot of this book has a lot of uncertainty as to where these ducks wander off to. An activity I could do is to ask each student to write down where they believe these ducks are going.
February 20, 2017
This story is one that will get stuck in your head and have children singing all day. The rhythmic story line makes the book seem like a song and is easy for children to read and understand. It also helps with counting and drives home the love and worry of a mother.
March 28, 2013
It's a cute little book. I'm sure children would enjoy this book. Kind of reminded me of my childhood (the second line "over the hills and far away").
Learning Extension: We would probably have a finger play go along with this book. The children would have fun making small little finger puppets (of ducks), one for each of their five fingers. The teacher would have a large hand puppet (of a duck). And while reading the story (or retelling from memory) the little children would hold up their hand with the five little duck puppets on each finger. And along with the story, they would bend/fold one finger down to show that the little duck did not come back.
Learning Extension: We would probably have a finger play go along with this book. The children would have fun making small little finger puppets (of ducks), one for each of their five fingers. The teacher would have a large hand puppet (of a duck). And while reading the story (or retelling from memory) the little children would hold up their hand with the five little duck puppets on each finger. And along with the story, they would bend/fold one finger down to show that the little duck did not come back.
November 5, 2016
Five Little Ducks by Pamela Paparone is not that interesting to me, but this will be a great book to read to children who are learning about numbers. I like when each time the ducks left one duck did not come back. This book can also introduce children to math.
October 16, 2017
I really like the pictures for this familiar children's song. It's good as a board book. Though if it were bigger it could be used in a storytime.
10/16/17 We had a bigger one in our storytime closet! Well, normal size book. Large enough for the Movement storytime crowd to see well enough. We did the standard song actions, but we didn't sing it because I was giving my voice a rest. I think I may need to invest in a mic....
10/16/17 We had a bigger one in our storytime closet! Well, normal size book. Large enough for the Movement storytime crowd to see well enough. We did the standard song actions, but we didn't sing it because I was giving my voice a rest. I think I may need to invest in a mic....
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July 17, 2012Counting Book. Published in 1995, new twist on the old rhyme. Each day the ducklings go out to play, but one by one they disapper as the mother duck is busy working around the house. Finally the mother duck goes out in search of her ducklings and they all come back for some apple pie. I have used this book in kindergarten when we are working on counting forward, counting objects, and concept of number.
February 9, 2013
This book was okay. Good for counting for very young children and the repetition is good but the book kind of seems to lack substance beyond that. For some reason the rhythm bothered me a bit. The pictures are colorful and filled with cute details but the ducks are very small so if I was reading this to a small group of children, I'm sure it would be very hard to see and count the ducks in some of the pictures.
October 2, 2016
This book was okay, I didn't enjoy it so much but I know the children would. The pictures were colorful but somewhat small. If I was to read this to a class, I would do it as a whole group and just have fun with the children. This book would be good for counting if a child is having a hard time counting. Even though I didn't enjoy it, I would recommend it for those who needs help counting. This book would be good for any young children from ages 4 and up.
November 6, 2016
this book is great for young children to learn how to subtract. this book has the duck staring with 5 and going down to 0. This book is great for children to learn the number 1 to 5. this book has great pictures. this book is great for children to learn new vocabulary words. This book has a lot of repetition which you can have the children participate in the story with you because is repeating the same things. children would love this book and also this story you can sing it with them.
April 11, 2013
This is a good book to introduce the idea of subtraction to students that are just starting to learn math and number principals . The problems are set in story form making it easier for little ones to remember. In this form it is easier to recall how many are left when one is taken away. This book is designed for a very young audience.
November 7, 2014
Great book to read aloud for very young children, because this nice rhythmic rhyme can hold their attention. They will enjoy the story and learn how to count backwards. Young children can read this book by themselves and they will get more words and meaning of them. If we use songs and rhymes to teach reading, counting or anything else, that is the easiest way to grab the concept.
February 5, 2015
Like all books based on, and not veering from, old rhymes, "Five Little Ducks" was just okay. I used a felt board with it, and the kids had fun singing the old rhyme with me. The illustrations were alright, but it would have been nice to see expressions on the ducks' faces.
Good for preschool storytime (especially if you have a felt activity!).
Good for preschool storytime (especially if you have a felt activity!).
December 20, 2015
This is a nice way to get children early on in mathematics - subtracting (counting backwards). It also teaches vocabulary - "over" "far." It is a Rebus rhyme that is great for young children who are just beginning to learn to read. It has a rhyme and rhythm to the story. Grade level; K reading level 1.5
September 26, 2016
This is a fun and simple little book about five little ducks and their mother. It would be good to pair with some counting activities or having the children join in and act out the story. Five Little Ducks would be good for a whole or small group activity in Pre-K classrooms. Most children may be able to read/ sing along with this book since it is so well known.
September 29, 2016
Five Little Ducks is a great book to use for children that are just learning to count. It also shows patience while the mother ducks is waiting for her children to come home. However, I did not care for the book for the reason of the mother duck does not go out to look for her missing children until all of them are gone. I felt like this could make a child feel like they are not important.
November 5, 2016
Beautiful illustration tells the story, which means there is lots to keep the children interested. The rhyme makes children aware of counting backwards, subtracting and also that being home with mum is best. It is a good book and popular song to learn and practice numbers 1 to 5, subtraction concepts
November 6, 2016
This would be a good book to read in Pre-k and up classrooms. You could do alot of fun activities with this book. You can use this book for counting activities and you could have the children act out the book, you can even do a story retelling of the book and have the children participate in helping you retell the story. This is a fun book and all the children are sure to enjoy it.
February 28, 2013
I think I have also read this, or a similar book in English. This made it a bit easier to understand, also the fact that it wasn't that hard.. since it's a children's book. Though, I will admit I did learn a word, so it wasn't 100% review. And, I like ducks.
July 4, 2013
One of my favorites for toddlers and preschool-age children. The illustrations are wonderful and open up the door for communication. I like to sing this book to the younger children to better hold their interest.
February 27, 2014
This is a cute little book but I personally liked the story better the way my mother used to tell it to me... with the little ducks "waddling" back and the father duck having to call them back louder in the end. Still pretty awesome though, great for kids.
April 7, 2014
This book, while repetitive has a lovely song that goes along with it...thus making the repetition more logical and more enjoyable. For that reason I would love to have the little ducks be a bit more prominent in the lovely pastoral illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews